I have owned a dog my entire life and I have never dealt w/ HD first hand. I am now facing it w/ my fifteen month old border collie/aussie shepherd cross. X-Rays are w/ an ortho. specialist who will look them over and advise on surgery options.

This is a young, highly intelligent and energetic dog. Now that I've done some research - I am terrified.

I am heavily armed w/ an excellent pet insurance policy and some savings, so I am not concerned w/the costs of these surgeries - my concerns are w/ the quality of life she's going to have post-surgery.

Has anyone had any hands-on experience w/ hip surgery on a younger, high energy dog? I know every dog is different and so is each situation, but anything relevant that anyone is willing to share would be great.

mastifflover

March 10th, 2011, 09:02 AM

There are a few members here with first hand experience in fact one just went through the surgery. I am sure she will post here. Good luck I know of a few dogs that have been through it with great results. Be optimistic these surgeries have improved greatly.

Melinda

March 10th, 2011, 09:12 AM

hi, I just saw this post, we just went through the surgery TPLO Jan 13th, she'll be going in for her final xrays next week to see if the bone is healed up. on Brina it was her knee that was blown. Would I do it again? definately!! she has a slight limp still when she gets up from sleeping, but its getting less and less everyday, we've worked up to a mile daily, and after the xrays we can increase to our 2 miles. Still no jumping or excessive running till roughly june, but we can wait, what would you like to know? I have a bit posted here
http://confessionsofapetowner.blogspot.com/

feel free to ask whatever you like and if I or another member can answer you , be sure that we will. oh and brina is only 5, a lab/shep mix and very very active!! You'd swear she was only about 2....still a pup and full of energy

hazelrunpack

March 10th, 2011, 07:18 PM

We had a springer spaniel who had total hip replacements between the ages of 5 and 6. So she wasn't quite as young as your dog, but she was very active, even before her surgery. The hips were done some months apart. After the first hip replacement, we could tell the difference in her behavior immediately! Between hip replacements, we had to have a disk in her back worked on because all those years of throwing her weight forward to take the pressure off her hips caused her to blow the disk. After she healed from the back surgery, we did the other hip. In total, she spent 22 wks total tethered to my waist to keep her quiet during recovery for the three surgeries.

The results were amazing, though! She never looked back. She lived for 10 years after the surgeries and had great freedom of motion and no apparent pain for the rest of her life.

The key is the recovery period. Follow the surgeon's recommendations to the letter. With Priscilla, she was not allowed to jump, run, or use the people furniture. :D Of course, she had other ideas, which is why she was tethered to my waist all that time. :rolleyes: I have fond memories of sitting with her in front of the TV, watching public television's children's programming all afternoon because my only other choice would have been soap operas :yuck: (I have to admit, though, I've never been able to look Barney in the face since... :laughing:)